Sarah and Sheila Day 20--

Sarah Day 20--

Dear Police Officers of Newtown, CT,

I am writing to you from a very small town in Minnesota. Thief River Falls is in the North Western part of the state, about 2 hours from the Canadian border. Population: 8,660. People: Kind. Weather: Cold.

I am a 23 year old college graduate. I have a degree in mass communications and a minor in art. In 6 short months, I will find myself roaming the halls of a new college. North Dakota State University, in North Dakota. This time around, I will be studying Zoology, as animals are truly my biggest passion in life. To be completely honest, I am terrified. These next few years will without a doubt, be the most challenging years of my life.

For all of you, I can imagine that this year will be the most challenging year of your lives. You have all had to watch, work through, and pick up the pieces of a terrible tragedy. A tragedy so devastating that it almost doesn't seem real. No human being should ever have to witness the things that Newtown has witnessed. My deepest sympathy goes out to each and every one of you.

My father is a police officer in Thief River Falls. He is great at what he does. In 2005, my dad had to work on the school shooting in Red Lake, MN. He says it was one of the hardest things he has ever had to go through.

When I heard the news and what happened at Sandy Hook, I was heartbroken. I was hurting for the children who list their lives, and I was hurting for those who didn't. I was hurting for the adults who did not make it. I was hurting for the families, the friends, and the teachers. And I was hurting for you.

I look at police officers as a huge inspiration. I am so proud of you and what all of you have done, you are indeed, hero's! I look at you with the same amazement that I look at my own daddy. Yup, I am my daddy's girl.

Hearing about the Newtown shooting brought me right back to the Red Lake shooting. I can not help but feel saddened when I realize that I do not remember much about it. I don't remember if I felt this hurt by it. I don't remember if I asked my dad how he was or if I gave him a hug. I don't remember if I told him I loved him and that I was proud of him. I don't remember if I said goodbye to him as he left for work, or hello when he returned. I am so sad that I don't remember.

Since I don't remember watching my daddy go through it, I am going to remember this time for all of you. I am going to pray that you have the strength to make it through the days to come. I am going to pray that you get endless hugs and kisses from your kiddos. I am going to pray that you always tell your husband or wife that you love them. I hope your husband or wife tells you they love you more. I hope that you are proud of what you have done, because the whole world is proud of you. Most importantly, I hope that you NEVER stop doing what you are doing. You are all so strong and so courageous and I will always admire what you do every day.

Sincerely,

Sarah Michaels

 Sheila Day 20--

Dear God,

When the sun came up today, I knew that I was going to do everything I could to do as much as I could to brighten the day for others.  I ran to pick up some boxes from Rah's car and opted to leave her a book that I had picked up for her this summer when we went to Giants Ridge just the kids, their significant others, and me.  I have held onto it for just the right time . . . today was it.  Thank you so much for giving me an amazing daughter to love . . . she is a such blessing.

I got the chance to go to coffee and breakfast with my "pastor" friends.  I was asked to bless the meal.  I prayed for each of them as they go into their holiday season which is such a busy time for pastors.  I think I did all right and I believe on some level I still have it!  We got the opportunity to catch up and just visit.Thank you so much for giving me each of them to walk with me spiritually . . . they are a blessing.

Then I went to make flatbread again.  The rolling is tough as one gets a little older and young arms and free time equals flatbread.  The conversation was great and the time spent was special.  Thank you for my able body and the time this holiday season to do things that create treasured memories . . . memories are blessings.

I was going to the Christmas concert that the kiddos wanted me to go to tonight.  We opted to go for supper before the concert as a group.  Grandma of one of the kiddos forgot the boots she was supposed to bring to complete the "perfect" outfit.  I offered to go back and get them.  Twenty-five minutes later I was back on the scene boots in tow.  I gobbled part of my supper and ran the girls over to the gym so the others could comfortably finish eating theirs.  I came back, threw the rest of mine in a box, and off to the concert we went.  Thank you for opportunities to help others . . . time is a blessing.

I went to the concert.  So many hugs from people I love and miss!!!!!  I got to see kiddos I baptized, kids I confirmed, youth group, and the elderly.  I made plans to do some visiting during the month I am off.  I even heard a little confession.  During the concert Santa, one of my youth, came up and said "Pastor Sheila . . . YOU ARE ON MY NICE LIST!"  I am EXTREMELY happy about that!  Thank you for all of those who have shown me love . . . love is a blessing.

Later in the concert, there was a tribute for the kiddos and teachers who lost their lives in Newtown, CT.  My Morgan was planning to read a poem dedicated to them called "My First Christmas in Heaven."  Morgan asked me to write the lead in for the piece and she did an incredible job, while Ethan, one of my other kids played "Amazing Grace" on the guitar . . . it was tender, beautiful, and everyone cried.  Thank you for the gift of words and the messages you write on my heart for others . . . words are a blessing.

During the concert I got a text.  Shelly, an incredible mom and someone I call my friend has a kiddo who has been drug through the medical ringer.  Taylor is a cancer survivor . . . multiple times.  Last year, this inspirational young man, had a heart attack.  This past year has been one of trials and tribulations.  As the music of the concert surrounded me, I was taking a picture on my phone when the text came in.  Normally I would not look, but for some reason I did.  Shelly gave me the results of Taylor's recent biopsy . . . not good as there is cancer in his cells . . . again.  My heart broke for all of them and she asked if I had any verses that would help.  All I could think of was "Jesus loves me . . . this I know" as the pain she was feeling was now weighing on my heart.  Thank you for the gift of compassion . . . empathy for others is a blessing.

God . . . I don't understand a lot of things, and I am guessing that I never will.  There is so much pain and suffering in this world and nobody seems to know why as there is no rhyme or reason to the who, what, where, why's, or how's.  BUT I do know that you are here walking with me on this journey called life.  I started out today just wanting to do the best I could and to be there for as many people as I possibly could.  Throughout the day there were high notes that made me smile with joy and low notes which made me sad and brought tears, but both made up the melody of the day.  Thank you for keeping my heart and mind open so the Spirit of Christmas, and God . . . could you please help some others to feel the spirit too.

Thank you God for YOU!
Sheila